Protector

by Joanne Wadsworth

  A grunt. “I’m also sneaky so watch out.”

  Silvie pursed her lips and flicked him in the arm with a tea towel. “Go and sit down.” She walked up to me. “And you, you promised me this morning we’d talk.”

  I took the seat next to hers, inhaling the smell of cooked beef plated right under my nose. “This looks wonderful.”

  “I made cupcakes for desert.”

  I grinned. “No wonder I haven’t seen you all afternoon while I studied.”

  “Cooking is my study.” She was right, for her grades were already there, and her acceptance a given for the university’s food technology course.

  “There’s no change in your plans for next year?” We intended to study at the same campus, just different courses.

  “Nope.”

  “I apologize for keeping everyone waiting.”

  I glanced up as Davio sat at the head. He arched a brow, looking down the table at me.

  “Is there a reason you’re seated so far from me?” His face was smooth and clean, his white button-down shirt pressed to perfection.

  “Ah.” I tapped my fingers on the varnished tabletop. “Silvie and I are catching up.”

  He folded his arms and gave a quick nod. “Then let’s eat.”

  Lifting the fork to my lips, the scent of spiced pumpkin and baby potatoes with rich dark gravy drizzled over roast beef had my mouth watering.

  We’re leaving.

  I held my fork steady. You have the worst timing. How’s Mum? And leave for where? Oh, my father couldn’t mean Dralion? Surely not so soon.

  Belle’s hand squeezed mine. “What’s wrong?”

  I looked her in the eye for we sat side by side. “Give me a minute.”

  She shrugged and picked up her water glass.

  Returning to focus on my father’s conversation, I straightened in my chair. Mum?

  Kate’s fine or at least as well as can be in these trying circumstances. But as I said, we’re leaving.

  Mum’s agreed to go? Now?

  She’s wary, but I’ve assured her she can speak to you first. We’ll meet in my apartment. Don’t be long.

  Silvie set down her cutlery. “That had to be your father. What does Wincrest want now?”

  I scrunched up my face as silence reigned.

  I hated this.

  “C’mon, speak to me,” she urged.

  “It’s not so bad.” I looked at my food, and my stomach did a slow dive.

  I’d known this moment would come, but having it arrive so quickly–I wasn’t ready for it.

  I dragged in a deep breath. “My mother’s agreed to go. She needs to speak to me.”

  I heard the chair at the head of the table scrape and closed my eyes as hands gripped my shoulders. “To Dralion. When?”

  My mind spread through Davio’s, holding on with every fiber of my soul. “You knew this was going to happen, just as you know I can return. My father promised.”

  “A damn Wincrest’s promise.” He pulled out my chair, all four legs grinding along the wooden floorboards.

  Once on my feet, I spun to meet his darkened gaze. “You were okay with it, this morning.”

  “I know I was.” His jaw clenched, his mind a turbulent storm of thoughts and all coming directly at me. “We haven’t had enough time to speak of the finer details, of you knowing where the dome’s entry point is before Wincrest takes you and to make certain you do not allow the man to blindfold you. I have to know you’ll have access to the image and can safety return. I cannot risk you leaving otherwise.”

  “I’ve already been told where the location is.”

  His hand wrapped around the back of my neck, and he drew me closer. “Then where is it?”

  Setting a hand to his chest, his heartbeat raced under my palm. “I won’t allow any blindfolding. I promise you.”

  “I asked where it was.” His fingers tightened. “Damn, if only I held the skill of forethought or mind-merge as you do. I need to be able to read your thoughts.”

  “I’d still block as you usually do.” I tapped his chest. “Besides, the dome protects Dralion for a reason. Peacians can’t know the image of where to get in.”

  He snorted. “I can’t stand this.”

  Shaking my head, I pushed up onto my toes. “Stop freaking–just this once.”

  There was a noise, and I caught the sight of Silas coming around the table. He looked me in the eye as he motioned for Zac to take the other side. “I know the signs. My cousin is preparing to take you from here.”

  Fingers bit deeper. “One day you’ll have a mate and feel what I feel, Silas.” With a low growl, Davio pulled me back to the solid pine wall behind us.

  And with Silas on one side and Zac on the other, there was no escape.

  Silas narrowed his gaze on me. “We’re going with your plan of making it in and out of Dralion on your own steam.” He released a thought. Duck. Now.

  I dropped, scrambling back as Silas and Zac slammed Davio into the wall.

  “Get off me,” Davio bellowed, both his shoulders pinned. “You bull-headed protectors derive far too much pleasure from this.” He appealed to Zac. “I hunger for her, as you do for Viv. Give me this.”

  Zac didn’t move, not one muscle. “Your protection comes first.”

  “I don’t care.”

  “Which proves you’re not thinking clearly.”

  Silas intervened as Davio shoved, planting his feet wide to hold his position. “We hardly need a contingency of warriors after your hide. Your mate already has a workable plan that’s the best I’ve heard. Remember, the one where King Donaldo need never know of your relationship with his granddaughter? Do you not think an all-out war should be evaded when tensions between our two countries are already so inflamed? Because that is what would happen. Donaldo Wincrest wouldn’t rest if he knew a Loveria cavorted with one of his own. We need to take every precaution, which means returning you to Peacio where there is a larger safety net of protectors in place.”

  The air seemed to crackle and snap, and Davio narrowed his gaze on me. “Come here and ignore them.”

  I inched forward for I just needed to touch him.

  Silas snarled. “Stay there.”

  “I can’t.”

  Davio grunted, his foot hooking out and snagging around my knees. I toppled forward, hitting his chest as he wrenched one arm away from Zac and caught me. Silas forced him back to the wall, and Zac pulled at me, shoving me clear.

  Viv joined the fray, snatching Davio’s legs. She twisted and sent them all careening to the floor.

  But as they hit, they were gone–all four of them, gone.

  I stared at the lone spot, blinking. He’d been there one second, and now gone the next.

  No. This wasn’t happening. I needed to say goodbye. I dropped my head into my palms and sobbed, demanding the recall of his image. My forethought pressed forward, bringing to me an indoor training room with steel-bladed weapons lining the block walls. Davio was on the ground, his back pinned to the earth-toned bricks. Silas and Zac held him as he bucked, and Viv sat on his legs.

  “He’s not happy, but that’s to be expected,” Belle murmured in my ear. “They’ve taken him to the castle where he’s safest, so you can leave.”

  “You’re saying I can’t go to him?” I locked the image’s location, my fingernails biting into my palms. Davio’s pain right now felt like my own, making my soul long to soothe him. But I needed to leave for Dralion and I couldn’t forget that, or my mother.

  “Silas protects him–that is his job. Don’t make it harder for him.”

  Silvie wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “You can see he’s safe. Go now. The moment you do, Silas will release him.”

  The vision melted away, and I wiped at my cheeks. “Take notes for me in class.” I hugged her. “And tell Davio–I appreciate the fight.”

  Her lips lifted a smidgeon. “You’ll have more than a fight on your hands if you don’t keep your word and return.”


  “I’ll be back before you know it.” I looked at Belle and drew in a long breath. “Look after him.”

  She squeezed my hand. “Silas is in my head and telling me you better hurry. I’m the only one who can keep in contact with you and calm him.”

  “I’m going to speak to my mother first then we leave. I’ll let you know when.” I stood back and raised my hand in farewell.

  Seconds later, I arrived in the dark of Alexo’s safe room and reached for the connecting door. Finding it, I turned the knob, pulling to hear the familiar screeching sound of metal on metal.

  “I’ll get the light.”

  Alexo flipped the switch and beckoned to me from the far door. He’d changed and now wore dark leather pants and a silver threaded loose shirt, a leather jacket slung over his arm.

  “My mother?”

  “The living room.” We headed down the hallway. “I’ve been gone for hours and Donaldo and several warriors are tapping at my head to be heard. I need to make contact with Donaldo soon.”

  My brow rose. “Are you sure everything will be all right?”

  “Yes.” He set a hand on my shoulder. “Donaldo will want you, and he’ll accept Kate. There’s no more hiding.” He paused. “There’s one more thing I need to mention before we leave.”

  I let out a breath, preparing myself. “I’m listening.”

  “During my time on Earth, I went by the name of Alexo Stryker.”

  I groaned, rather loudly. “You made up my last name.”

  “Yes, but you’ll have it no longer–for obvious reasons.”

  I turned the corner and strode into the living room, eager to reach my mother. She sat on the gray couch, but stood the second she saw me.

  I ran to her, meeting her in the center of the room, her arms banding me tightly.

  I hugged her back, shaking because I’d finally connected to her again, the past hours of worry settling at least a little.

  “I’m sorry, honey.” Her voice wobbled. “For everything. The lies. For whom Silvie and Seriah are. I can’t believe all I’ve heard.”

  Alexo cleared his throat. “Do not take the Carver family’s involvement upon yourself. I saw the same forewarning as Carlisio did at Faith’s birth–that our child would somehow have an impact on Loveria’s family. I knew there would be a future link, only it wasn’t one I could halt, not after I returned to Dralion and found every single move I made followed so closely. I couldn’t even sneeze without a warrior reporting it to my father. It wasn’t an easy time.”

  And he’d been my age, which somehow brought an element of light to things.

  My mother’s embrace tightened, her cream cardigan pulling around us both. “I should never have withheld my knowledge of your father from you. He clearly loves you–only I never knew.” She released a deep breath and her hands shook. “I’ll do everything in my power to keep you safe. Even if that means living in Dralion and acting as his wife.”

  My heart squeezed. “Did you say acting?”

  “Yes.”

  Alexo grimaced. “That is her decision, and I will be content with it.”

  My mother crossed her arms. “That’s right–you will.”

  Alexo let out a rush of air, taking her by the shoulders. “You need to relax around me. I’m certain Donaldo will be distracted by Faith, but no one must think you’re not fully committed to us, and that includes my sister for Goldwyn has the sight of a hawk.

  I frowned. “I have an aunt? And are there other family there as well?”

  Alexo turned to me. “I have only the one sibling. Goldie was my parents’ late surprise, and at nineteen, she is only a year older than you. Although Goldie comes and goes from Dralion.”

  “And where does she come and go to?”

  “Goldie’s chaperoning Hope in Australia, although Hope hardly considers it that.”

  My mother’s brows rose. “You have not mentioned a Hope.”

  His jaw clenched. “We will speak of Hope another time when we’re not dealing with quite so much, but she is family. Now, we are deviating, and I must speak to Donaldo and prepare him for what’s to come. We will leave this Mount apartment once I’ve notified him.” Turning from us, he began his communication.

  Releasing a sigh, my mother moved to the couch. “He is hiding something, but right now, sit. I need to know about Davio Loveria. Your father told me who he was.”

  I clasped my hands. “The bond builds between us fast, and he has the same feelings for me that I have for him.”

  “Then I’m doing the right thing?” She cast a glance across the room at Alexo.

  I nodded. “I don’t see there being any other choice.”

  “Donaldo’s expecting us.”

  Those three words from my father made me freeze.

  And in that instant, my life changed forever.

  I stood, my heart pounding. “I need to use my forethought to collect the image of the dome room. Before we go.”

  “Yes. Take it from my mind.” He didn’t question my request.

  I connected and pulled the image, my eyes widening. “Truly? That’s the dome room?”

  It was dark and dungeon-like. There were no doors, just four gloomy walls constructed of a gray-black brick with slabs of floor-stones in a dull gray-green. Aged cracks in the floor’s surface oozed with slimy green moss. So repulsive.

  “Ick. Does no one care to clean up the place?”

  “It must remain the way it is. No one could imagine such an image as the secured point in and out of Dralion, and that in itself adds a level of safety.”

  “Does anyone guard it? Should I expect someone to jump out at me?”

  “No. It’s completely blocked off and well below ground level. You see the walls.”

  I returned to the image. “Yes, but what of the old well in the center. Does that not lead somewhere?” The yucky green stuff trailed over its blackened brick edging.

  “The well is deep and we’ve never found the end. The energy within it is what the enchanter, Gilles Moyer, tapped into. He spelled the dome into existence using his skill.”

  I screwed up my forehead. “Where to from there?”

  “We’ll move quickly for the dome room smells as bad as it appears. We’ll meet Donaldo at my personal apartments on the eastern fourth floor. The palace is a large residence with over four-hundred rooms. It’s a fortress and has stood the test of time for hundreds of centuries.”

  My mouth popped open. I should have expected this, yet because I had not seen, I had not truly comprehended. Now I did.

  “We are running out of time. Donaldo has never been a patient man and knowing whom I bring, makes him more so.” My father tapped his head. “I see him pacing the receiving room.” He took my mother’s arm and looked at me. “The last image you’ll need is the main reception room of my apartments.”

  He flicked up the image and I gasped. Such beauty. Stunning white and blue diagonal floor tiles captivated with a central motif of a massive “W.” The area was ballroom like in size. There were elegant sitting chairs covered in a white-gold detailed fabric, the legs and arms in a polished golden wood. Those chairs were tucked against the walls in sets of four, at least twenty separate sets in total around the perimeter of the room. Separating each set, a white marble arch framed double doors which led out and in varying directions.

  I blinked, taking in what I saw, for upward from the stunning arches, the high ceiling rose maybe twenty feet. I breathed, tilting my head as I looked upon twelve brilliantly lit crystal chandeliers, six each side and running parallel to each other. They were beautiful, not to mention light beamed from them over striking scenes of battle, hand painted like in the Sistine Chapel.

  “Wow. When you said you lived in a palace, you truly meant it.”

  “It’s now you and your mother’s home, too. Do not forget that.”

  My mother cleared her throat. “Let’s just go.”

  Alexo tipped his head. “You have the images, and I will move ahead of yo
u and see you in the receiving room.”

  “You will, right after I speak to Belle. I don’t have a telepathic link with my mate and he needs me to check in. You two go ahead.” He blinked away, taking my mother with him, and I pulled open my link.

  I’m leaving. I have the image.

  Of the dome room?

  Yes, of everything I need.

  I will tell Davio. Take care. I will speak to you soon.

  I took a deep breath. Later.

  I closed the link.

  No more waiting. It was time.

  Chapter 11

  I flashed through the dome room, sucking in only one breath for the taste of mold in the air was strong. Then I was there, lifting my arms and balancing on the shiny blue and white floor tiles.

  It was as I’d seen, only now included were my parents, and half the room distant, four men, three clothed in heavy combat gear surrounding the one I knew could be no other than Donaldo.

  My gaze widened. Oh. His violet eyes cut directly to me, moving over every inch of my face.

  I froze even though I hadn’t been moving.

  Looking at him, I saw a leader, a man with thick brown hair and a full, dark beard, one giving him the appearance of greater age. Then he adjusted his shoulders, stepping forward in leather boots. He wore an impeccable red shirt with silver buttons, his long legs encased in black leather pants. He was tall, although only an inch more than my father.

  Alexo moved forward, and Donaldo raised his arms, seizing him to him in a firm, forearm embrace, his thumbs adorned with two large gold insignia rings.

  They released each other. Alexo lifted a hand, indicating my mother. “Meet my wife, Kate Wincrest.”

  I held still for Donaldo’s eyes darkened to a striking hue. He inclined his head, the barest fraction of movement, to her. “If my son says you are wed, then you are welcome here. I can see your daughter is Alexo’s.”

  My father beckoned me forward. “Come.”

  I cleared my throat and pushed one foot in front of the other, jamming my shaky hands behind my back.

  Donaldo crooked his head, raising his hands to me. “Do not be wary.” Then his eyes crinkled at the corners. “I wish to meet my granddaughter. It is a shame Goldwyn and Hope are not here. This is a moment none of the Wincrests should miss.”